Automotive vehicle signal light warning method

ABSTRACT

An automotive vehicle rear end signal light warning method for signaling changes in the condition of an automotive vehicle&#39;&#39;s accelerator for use with an automotive vehicle which utilizes a convention method of warning as to application of the vehicle&#39;&#39;s brakes consisting of energizing at least one red light visible from the rear of said vehicle. Said warning method comprising signaling one or the other of two conditions of the vehicle, to wit: the under power and not under power conditions of the vehicle, by utilizing a first switch other than said brake switch in one position thereof to energize at least one colored signal light other than a red brake signal light visible from the rear of said vehicle, signaling a change from one to the other of said two conditions of the vehicle by throwing said first switch to another position to de-energize said colored signal light, signaling a change from the other to the one of said two conditions of the vehicle by throwing said first switch from said other position to said one position to re-energize said colored signal light, and disabling said colored signal light from being energized by opening a normally closed actuated open second switch other than said brake switch upon closing of said brake switch, said method operative in conjunction with said conventional method of warning as to application of the vehicle&#39;&#39;s brakes.

United States Patent Hendrickson 51 July 11, 1972 [54] AUTOMOTIVEVEHICLE SIGNAL LIGHT WARNING METHOD [72] Inventor: Jack R. Hendrickson,3665 Burning Tree Drive, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48013 [22] Filed: April26, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 137,511

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 728,935, May 14,1968, aban- Primary Examiner-Alvin H. Waring Attorney-William L. Fisher[57] ABSTRACT An automotive vehicle rear end signal light warning methodfor signaling changes in the condition of an automotive vehiclesaccelerator for use with an automotive vehicle which utilizes aconvention method of warning as to application of the vehicles brakesconsisting of energizing at least one red light visible from the rear ofsaid vehicle. Said warning method comprising signaling one or the otherof two conditions of the vehicle, to wit: the under power and not underpower conditions of the vehicle, by utilizing a first switch other thansaid brake switch in one position thereof to energize at least onecolored signal light other than a red brake signal light visible fromthe rear of said vehicle, signaling a change from one to the other ofsaid two conditions of the vehicle by throwing said first switch toanother position to de-energize said colored signal light, signaling achange from the other to the one of said two conditions of the vehicleby throwing said first switch from said other position to said oneposition to re-energize said colored signal light, and disabling saidcolored signal light from being energized by opening a normally closedactuated open second switch other than said brake switch upon closing ofsaid brake switch, said method operative in conjunction with saidconventional method of warning as to application of the vehicle 5brakes.

6 Claims, 15 Drawing figures Patented July 11, 1972 3,676,844

5 Sheets-Sheet l I NVENTOR.

fi/S A TTDENEY Patented July 11, 1972 3,676,844

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Jack 2 zVerzdrz'c'ksarz BY mmeazzw H/SATTORNEY Patented July 11, 1972 3,676,844

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ills ATTORNEY AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE SIGNAL LIGHT WARNINGMETHOD This application is a division of copending application Ser. No.728,935 filed May 14, 1968 now US. Pat. No. 3,576,528.

This invention relates to improvements in automotive vehicle rear endwarning method for signaling to trailing vehicles changes in vehiclevelocity status.

Prior proposed warning methods of this type have not been adopted byautomotive vehicle manufacturers because of drawbacks of one sort oranother among which are complexity as witness the warning methoddisclosed in U.S. Pats. to Stafford No. 2,275,695 and to Danek No.2,760,l 13.

The improved vehicle rear end warning method of the present invention ischaracterized by its extreme simplicity and low cost by which it hasappeal to automotive vehicle manufacturers. It can be incorporated asoriginal equipment in new vehicles or sold in the after market forinstallation on existing vehicles.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision ofsimplified and entirely practical vehicle rear end warning method whichrenders an automobile a safer instrument of travel by materiallyassisting in curbing rear end collisions in traffic. This isparticularly significant today in view of the ris ing injuries andfatalities on Americas highways. Recently a high government official whoinstituted an investigation into traffic safety remarked that theautomobile itselfhas become increasingly lethal. The vehicle rear endwarning method of the present invention signals the idle condition ofthe vehicle by suitably colored lights visible from the rear of thevehicle and upon a change to underway condition said method signals suchchange from idle to underway condition by other suitably colored lightsat the same eye level. Also during said underway condition said meansand method signals sudden release of the vehicle accelerator by thefirst-mentioned colored lights.

The foregoing object of the invention and its advantages will becomeapparent during the course of the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an automobile equipped withthe improved rear end warning method of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 1 of anautomobile equipped with a different form of signal lamp housing means;

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A, 2B are cross-sectional and perspective views,respectively, of the signal housing means shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGS. 3, 7 and 8 are circuit diagrams of electrical circuit meansconstituting a part of the present invention;

FIGS. 4, 4A and 5 and 6 are elevational views partly in section ofdifferent switch actuating means constituting part of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 9 and 9A are elevational views partly in section of brake actuateddisabling means embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, 10 designates an automobilewhich is equipped with the improved automotive vehicle rear end warningmethod of the present invention which includes signal lamp housing means12 mounted on the rear deck 13 of the automobile l0 behind the hingeline 14 for the rear deck lid 15. The housing means 12 comprises ahousing member 16 which is closed at its top, bottom, rear and sides andopen in the front. The member 16 is compartmented as shown at 11 andeach compartment is provided with a socket and bulb so that the lightemitted from each lamp is directed out of the respective compartment atthe front of the member 16. The bulb 17 together with a green coloredlens 18 constitutes a central green signal lamp G. The bulbs 19 whichare connected in parallel together with a pair of amber colored lenses20 constitute outboard amber signal lamps A. The lenses 18 and 20 aremounted together into an assembly by a bezel 21 which affixes to themember 16 and closes off its open front end so that the green and amberlights G and A of the housing means 12 are emitted centrally andoutboard with respect to each other. Their positions of course can bereversed so that the green lights are outboard in respect to the amberlight. Mounting means 22 are affixed to the bottom wall of the member 16at its front end so that it can slip over the edge of the rear deck 13at the hinge line 14 to secure the housing means to the automobile 10 sothat it faces rearwardly.

In FIG. 2 the automobile 210 is equipped with a signal lamp housingmeans 212 which is the subject matter of my copending design patentapplication Ser. No. 7,526 filed June 20, 1967. In this form of housingmeans 212 the principal housing member 216 in the form of a bezel isfitted into the automobile body 215 and beneath the rear deck lid 214and holds a bulb 217 and lens assembly 218 which has a green coloredglass front face and constitutes the central green signal lamp G. Thebulbs 219 and separate lens assemblies 220 which have amber coloredglass front faces are similarly held in the housing member 216 andconstitute the outboard amber signal lamps A. The member 216 holdsconventional red stop lamps R outboard of the pair of amber lamps A.

Referring now to the embodiment of electrical circuit means of FIG. 3one side of the outboard amber signal lamps A are connected by anelectrical line 24 to one contact 25 of switch means 27 which isactuated as will be described when the vehicle is accelerated. The otherside of the lamps A are individually grounded by the line 529. Thecentral green signal lamp G is connected to ground on one side by theline 31 and on the other side by the line 32 to another contact 26 ofthe same switch means 27. The switch means 27 in the instance is asignal pole double throw type switch, the pole 28 of which is connectedvia the center switch contact 33 and the line 34 to one side of thevehicle ignition switch 35. The other side of the ignition switch 35 isconnected by the line 36 to one side of the vehicle battery 38 the otherside of which battery is grounded by the line 39. The switch means 27has two operational positions corresponding to the throws of its poles.One of these is a normally held position in which the pole 28 is held inengagement with the switch contact or contacts 25. The other position isan actuated position in which the pole 28 is thrown into engagement withthe switch contact or contacts 26 by switch actuating means of thepresent invention to be described. In the normally held position of theswitch 27 the amber lamp or lamps A are placed in series with theignition switch 35 so that whenever the vehicle is under power but notaccelerating the amber lamp or lamps A are energized. In the event thevehicle is accelerated the switch means 27 is actuated by the means tobe described and its pole 28 thrown to its other operational position toplace the green lamp G in series with the ignition switch 35. In FIG. 6the conventional vehicle brake circuit consisting of the brake actuatedstop light switch 40 connected by the line 42 to one side of the normalred stop lights R the other side of which is grounded by the lines 43 isshown connected by the line 36 to the hot side of the ignition switch 35but it is not utilized or affected by the electrical circuit means shownin FIG. 6.

In FIGS. 4 and 4A are shown one form of switch means 27 which comprisesa cylinder and piston type switch 127 the pole 128 of which is connectedas a piston rod to a piston 44 which is slidably carried in a chamber 45mounted on the vehicle firewall 46. The chamber 45 is lined withconductive sleeves and 126 electrically connected to external connectingmembers to which the lines 24 and 32, respectively, are connected. Aninsulating sleeve 47 of axial length greater than the thickness of thepiston 44 separates the sleeves 47 and 48. The pole 128 operates out ofthe end of the chamber 45 which is mounted on the firewall 46 andthrough an extension member 50 which carries a conductive sleeve 133 insliding contact with the pole 128 which sleeve 133 is electricallyconnected to an external connecting member to which the line 34 isconnected. The pole 128 is connected to the accelerator pedal 52 and isurged toward the mounted end of the chamber 45 by a compression spring53 which is concentrically disposed about a rod 54 projecting from theside of the piston 44 opposite the pole 128. The linkage 51 whichinterconnects min na the accelerator pedal 50 with the carburetorbutterfly valve (not shown) of course is normally biased toward thepassenger compartment by well known means to maintain the pedal 52 inits non-depressed condition. Whenever the accelerator pedal 52 is in anundepressed condition the piston 44 is disposed within the chamber 45 soas to be in contact with the sleeve 125 which places the amber lights Ain series with the vehicle ignition switch 35. When the vehicle isunderway from depression of the accelerator pedal 50 the piston 44 movesover the insulating sleeve 47 and into contact with the conductivesleeve 126 to place the green lights G in series with the ignitionswitch 35. Upon sudden release of the accelerator pedal 50 which usuallyprecedes a braking action the piston 44 is returned to its normally heldnon-depressed position in which it is in electrical contact with thesleeve 125.

Another form of switch means 27 is shown in FIG. which comprises acylinder and piston type switch 227 the pole 228 of which is connectedas a piston rod to a piston 56 which is slidably carried in a chamber 58one end of which is connected via the conduit 59 to the intake manifold60 of the vehicle engine 61. The pole 228 has affixed to it anelectrical contact member 62 which engages switch contacts 225 and 233in the normally held position of the switch 227 which is dependent uponthe vacuum in the intake manifold 60 when the vehicle engine is idlingwhich vacuum holds the piston 56 against the urging of a tension spring64. The spring 64 operates between the other end of the chamber 58 andthe rod side of the piston 56, and urges the pole to the right in FIG.5. The vacuum which is preselected to hold the switch in its normallyheld position is that created when the vehicle engine is in idlecondition. In the normally held position of the switch 227 the amberlamps A are connected in series with the vehicle ignition switch 35.Upon a decrease in vacuum in the intake manifold 60 from acceleration ofthe vehicle below the preset idle vacuum the spring 64 throws the pole228 to its other operational position in which the contact member 62engages switch contacts 233 and 226 to place the green lamp G in serieswith the ignition switch 35. The nut 63 is capable of moving the plate57 inwardly of the chamber 58 to decrease the tension upon the spring 64so as to preselect the vacuum required to hold the pole 228 in theposition shown for it in H0. 5.

FIG. 6 shows still another form of switch means 27 which comprises agovernor type switch 327 having a pole 328 connected to a collar 65which is slidable on shaft 66 rotatably mounted in a housing 69 andcarrying a pinion gear 67 which meshes with a gear 68 on a shaft 70connected to the vehicle crankshaft 72. The slidable collar 65 isconnected by links 73 and a pair of weights 75 to a fixed collar 76which is fast on the shaft 66. The compression spring 78 which isconcentrically disposed about the shaft 66 operates upon the collar 65to hold the pole 328 so that its contact 333 engages switch contact 325to place the amber lamps A in series with the ignition switch 35. Upon apredetermined increase in the rotational speed of the crankshaft 72 thepole 328 is thrown by the spreading movement of the weights 75 outwardlyaway from the shaft 66 which pulls the collar 65 and the pole 328 sothat the contact 333 on the latter engages switch contact 326 to placethe green lamps G in series with the ignition switch 35. The mechanism80 is adjustable axially of the shaft 66 in preselected fixed positionsto vary the compression on the spring 78 so that the predeterminedrotational speed at which the pole 328 is thrown is adjustable. Thepreselected rotational speed at which the contact 333 is maintainedengaged with the contact 325 is that corresponding to idle condition ofthe vehicle engine.

In FIG. 7 a pair of normally closed contacts 82 of an electromagneticrelay 83 is placed in series in the energizing circuit between theignition switch 35 and the switch means 27 by the lines 84 and 85. Theelectromagnet 86 of the relay 83 is placed in series in the brakecircuit between the stop light switch 40 and the stop lights R by thelines 87 and 88. Energization of the electromagnet 86 upon applicationof the vehicle brakes opens the contacts 82 to disable the energizingcircuit so that the amber signal lamps A will be de-energized at thetime that the vehicle brakes are applied. Upon release of the vehiclebrakes the electromagnet 86 will be de-energized and the contacts 82will be held closed to reestablish energization of the amber signallamps A.

Another form of brake actuated disabling means for the energizingcircuit is shown in FIG. 8 which comprises switch means 90 in the formof a double pole double throw switch the poles of which are separatelyconnected in the brake light circuit and in the energizing circuit forthe warning means of the present invention. The poles of the switch 90are designated 91 and 93 and are connected to the center switch contacts94 and 95, respectively, which are in turn connected on opposite sidesof the ignition switch 35 by the lines 96 and 97. Switch contacts 98 areunconnected and the switch contact 99 is connected to the switch contact33 of the switch means 27 by the line 100 while the switch contact 101is connected to the stop lights R by the line 102. The switch 90 isnormally held so that its pole 91 places the switch means 27 in serieswith the ignition switch 35 and the stop lights R out of circuit untilthe brake pedal is depressed in which case the poles 91 and 93 arethrown to their opposite operational positions in which the pole 93places the brake lights R in series with the ignition switch 35 whilethe energizing circuit for the warning means is disabled thusde-energizing the amber lights A. Release of the brake pedalde-energizes the brake lights R and reestablishes the energizing circuitby connecting the switch means 27 in series with the ignition switch 35.One fonn of the switch means 90" is shown in FIGS. 9 and 9A in which ahousing 103 is affixed to stationary structure 104 mounted on thefirewall 54. A plunger 105 is slidably carried in and operates out ofone end 106 of the housing 103. The plunger 105 is affixed to the poles91 and 93 and is biased outwardly of the housing 103 by the compressionspring 1.06 which causes the plunger 105 to follow the movement of thebrake pedal supporting arm 107 so that the poles 91 and 93 are heldagainst the urging of the spring 106 by the arm 107 in the positionsshown in FIG. 9 so that the switch means 27 is in series with theignition switch 35 and the stop lights R are de-energized in theundepressed position of the brake pedal. When the latter is depressedthe plunger 105 follows the arm 107 and throws the poles 91 and 93 totheir opposite operational positions in which the energizing circuit isdisabled and the stop lights R are energized.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by the presentinvention an improved automotive vehicle rear end warning method inwhich the object hereinabove set forth together with many otherthoroughly practical advantages has been successfully achieved. Suchrear end warning method provides a side by side disposition ofelectrical signal lamps capable of emitting difierently colored lightsvisible at the same eye level from a trailing vehicle. By virtue of suchmethod being included in automotive vehicles drivers are given warningof the velocity status and of the impending application of brakes in thevehicle ahead. The time elapsed in applying brakes is utilized forsignaling to the vehicle behind and this vehicle in turn utilizes suchelapsed time for the same purpose with the result that trailing vehiclesare given longer advance warnings of the application of brakes by thevehicles ahead.

What I claim is:

1. For use with an automotive vehicle which utilizes a conventionalmethod of warning as to the application of the vehicles brakesconsisting of energizing, upon closing of the vehicle's normally openbrake switch, at least one red brake signal light visible from the rearof said vehicle, an improved automotive vehicle rear end signal lightwarning method comprising signaling the under power condition of thevehicle by utilizing a first switch other than said brake switch in oneposition thereof to energize at least one colored signal light otherthan a red brake signal light visible from the rear of said vehicle,signaling a change from the under power condition to the not under powercondition of said vehicle by throwing said first switch to anotherposition to de-energize said colored signal light, signaling a changefrom the not under power condition to the under power condition of saidvehicle by throwing said first switch from said other position to saidone position to re-energize said colored signal light, and disablingsaid colored signal light from being energized by opening a normallyclosed actuated open second switch other than said brake switch uponclosing of said brake switch, said method operative in conjunction withsaid conventional method of warning as to application of the vehicle'sbrakes.

2. For use with an automotive vehicle which utilizes a conventionalmethod of warning as to application of the vehicles brakes consisting ofenergizing, upon closing of the vehicles normally open brake switch, atleast one red brake light visible from the rear of said vehicle, animproved automotive vehicle rear end signal light warning methodcomprising signaling the not under power condition of the vehicle byutilizing a first switch other than said brake switch in one positionthereof to energize at least one colored signal light visible from therear of said vehicle, signaling a change from the not under powercondition to the under power condition of said vehicle by throwing saidfirst switch to another position to de-energize said colored signallight, signaling a change from the under power condition to the notunder power condition of said vehicle by throwing said first switch fromsaid other position to said one position to re-energize said coloredsignal light, and, while said vehicle is not under power, signalingclosing of said brake switch upon application of the vehicles brakes byopening a normally closed actuated open second switch other than saidbrake switch to de-energize said colored signal light, disabling saidcolored signal light from being energized by maintaining open saidnormally closed actuated open switch as long as said brake switchremains closed, and, while said vehicle is not under power, signalingopening of said brake switch by re-energizing said colored signal lightby closing said second switch, said method operative in conjunction withsaid conventional method of warning as to application of the vehiclesbrakes.

3. For use with an automotive vehicle which utilizes a conventionalmethod of warning as to the application of the vehicles brakesconsisting of energizing, upon closing of the vehicles normally openbrake switch, at least one red brake signal light visible from the rearof said vehicle, an improved automotive vehicle rear end signal lightwarning method comprising signaling the not under power condition of thevehicle by utilizing a first switch other than said brake switch in oneposition thereof to energize at least one colored signal light otherthan a red brake signal light visible from the rear of said vehicle,signaling a change from the not under power condition to the under powercondition of said vehicle by throwing said first switch to anotherposition to de-energize said colored signal light, signaling a changefrom the under power condition to the not under power condition of saidvehicle by throwing said first switch from said other position to saidone position to re-energize said colored signal light, signaling closingof said brake switch upon application of the vehicle's brakes by openinga normally closed actuated open second switch other than said brakeswitch to de-energize said colored signal light, and signaling openingof said brake switch upon release of the vehicles brakes by closing saidsecond switch to reenergize said colored signal light, said methodoperative in conjunction with said conventional method of warning as toapplication of the vehicles brakes but without interfering therewith oradding any red signal lights thereto.

4. For use with an automotive vehicle which utilizes a conventionalmethod of warning as to the application of the vehicles brakesconsisting of energizing, upon closing of the vehicles normally openbrake switch, at least one red brake signal light visible from the rearof said vehicle, an improved automotive vehicle rear end signal lightwarning method comprising signaling one or the other of two conditionsof the vehicle, to wit: the under power and not under power conditionsof the vehicle, by utilizin a switch other than said brake switch in oneposition thereo to energize at least one colored signal light other thana red brake signal light visible from the rear of said vehicle,signaling a change from one to the other of said two conditions of thevehicle by throwing said first switch from said other position to saidone position to re-energize said colored signal light, disabling saidcolored signal light from being energized by opening a circuit uponclosing of said brake switch, and signaling opening of said brake switchby closing said circuit to re-energize said colored signal light, saidmethod operative in conjunction with said conventional method of warningas to application of the vehicles brakes.

5. Improved automotive vehicle rear end signal light warning method asclaimed in claim 4 comprising signaling opening of said brake switch byIre-energizing said colored signal light by closing said normally closedactuated open switch.

6. For use with an automotive vehicle which utilizes a conventionalmethod of warning as to the application of the vehicles brakesconsisting of energizing, upon closing of the vehicle's normally openbrake switch, at least one red brake signal light, an improvedautomotive vehicle signal light warning method comprising signaling oneor the other of two conditions of the vehicle, to wit: the under powerand not under power conditions of the vehicle, by utilizing a switchother than said brake switch in one position thereof to energize atleast one colored signal light other than a red brake signal light,signaling a change from one to the other of said two conditions of thevehicle by throwing said switch to another position to de-energize saidcolored signal light, signaling a change from the other to the one ofsaid two conditions of the vehicle by throwing said switch from saidother position to said one position to re-energize said colored signallight, and disabling said colored signal light from being energized byopening a circuit upon closing of said brake switch.

1. For use with an automotive vehicle which utilizes a conventionalmethod of warning as to the application of the vehicle''s brakesconsisting of energizing, upon closing of the vehicle''s normally openbrake switch, at least one red brake signal light visible from the rearof said vehicle, an improved automotive vehicle rear end signal lightwarning method comprising signaling the under power condition of thevehicle by utilizing a first switch other than said brake switch in oneposition thereof to energize at least one colored signal light otherthan a red brake signal light visible from the rear of said vehicle,signaling a change from the under power condition to the not under powercondition of said vehicle by throwing said first switch to anotherposition to de-energize said colored signal light, signaling a changefrom the not under power condition to the under power condition of saidvehicle by throwing said first switch from said other position to saidone position to reenergize said colored signal light, and disabling saidcolored signal light from being energized by opening a normally closedactuated open second switch other than said brake switch upon closing ofsaid brake switch, said method operative in conjunction with saidconventional method of warning as to application of the vehicle''sbrakes.
 2. For use with an automotive vehicle which utilizes aconventional method of warning as to application of the vehicle''sbrakes consisting of energizing, upon closing of the vehicle''s normallyopen brake switch, at least one red brake light visible from the rear ofsaid vehicle, an improved automotive vehicle rear end signal lightwarning method comprising signaling the not under power condition of thevehicle by utilizing a first switch other than said brake switch in oneposition thereof to energize at least one colored signal light visiblefrom the rear of said vehicle, signaling a change from the not underpower condition to the under power condition of said vehicle by throwingsaid first switch to another position to de-energize said colored signallight, signaling a change from the under power condition to the notunder power condition of said vehicle by throwing said first switch fromsaid other position to said one position to re-energize said coloredsignal light, and, while said vehicle is not under power, signalingclosing of said brake switch upon application of the vehicle''s brakesby opening a normally closed actuated open second switch other than saidbrake switch to de-energize said colored signal light, disabling saidcolored signal light from being energized by maintaining open saidnormally closed actuated open switch as long as said brake switchremains closed, and, while said vehicle is not under power, signalingopening of said brake switch by re-energizing said colored signal lightby closing said second switch, said method operative in conjunction withsaid conventional method of warning as to application of the vehicle''sbrakes.
 3. For use with an automotive vehicle which utilizes aconventional method of warning as to the application of the vehicle''sbrakes consisting of energizing, upon closing of the vehicle''s normallyopen brake switch, at least one red brake signal light visible from therear of said vehicle, an improved automotive vehicle rear end signallight warning method comprising signaling the not under power conditionof the vehicle by utilizing a first switch other than said brake switchin one position thereof to energize at least one colored signal lightother than a red brake signal light visible from the rear of saidvehicle, signaling a change from the not under power condition to theunder power condition of said vehicle by throwing said first switch toanother position to de-energize said colored signal light, signaling achange from the under power condition to the not under power conditionof said vehicle by throwing said first switch from said other positionto said one position to re-energize said colored signal light, signalingclosing of said brake switch upon application of the vehicle''s brakesby opening a normally closed actuated open second switch other than saidbrake switch to de-energize said colored signal light, and signalingopening of said brake switch upon release of the vehicle''s brakes byclosing said second switch to re-energize said colored signal light,said method operative in conjunction with said conventional method ofwarning as to application of the vehicle''s brakes but withoutinterfering therewith or adding any red signal lights thereto.
 4. Foruse with an automotive vehicle which utilizes a conventional method ofwarning as to the application of the vehicle''s brakes consisting ofenergizing, upon closing of the vehicle''s normally open brake switch,at least one red brake signal light visible from the rear of saidvehicle, an improved automotive vehicle rear end signal light warningmethod comprising signaling one or the other of two conditions of thevehicle, to wit: the under power and not under power conditions of thevehicle, by utilizing a switch other than said brake switch in oneposition thereof to energize at least one colored signal light otherthan a red brake signal light visible from the rear of said vehicle,signaling a change from one to the other of said two conditions of thevehicle by throwing said first switch from said other position to saidone position to re-energize said colored signal light, disabling saidcolored signal light from being energized by opening a circuit uponclosing of said brake switch, and signaling opening of said brake switchby closing said ciRcuit to re-energize said colored signal light, saidmethod operative in conjunction with said conventional method of warningas to application of the vehicle''s brakes.
 5. Improved automotivevehicle rear end signal light warning method as claimed in claim 4comprising signaling opening of said brake switch by re-energizing saidcolored signal light by closing said normally closed actuated openswitch.
 6. For use with an automotive vehicle which utilizes aconventional method of warning as to the application of the vehicle''sbrakes consisting of energizing, upon closing of the vehicle''s normallyopen brake switch, at least one red brake signal light, an improvedautomotive vehicle signal light warning method comprising signaling oneor the other of two conditions of the vehicle, to wit: the under powerand not under power conditions of the vehicle, by utilizing a switchother than said brake switch in one position thereof to energize atleast one colored signal light other than a red brake signal light,signaling a change from one to the other of said two conditions of thevehicle by throwing said switch to another position to de-energize saidcolored signal light, signaling a change from the other to the one ofsaid two conditions of the vehicle by throwing said switch from saidother position to said one position to re-energize said colored signallight, and disabling said colored signal light from being energized byopening a circuit upon closing of said brake switch.